After a fire tore through a city housing commission property on Tuesday, a frustrated Sydney gardener is questioning why nothing was done to prevent the emergency, even though the unkempt property had been flagged as a fire risk.
Nathan Stafford, who cleans up properties and gardens, shared a Facebook video after footage emerged showing a Glebe property he had visited and raised concerns about weeks earlier was engulfed in flames.
He was furious that the fire hazard had been reported to Homes NSW, but nothing appeared to have been done.
Police are continuing to investigate the Mitchell St blaze, but confirmed to Yahoo News that no one was injured.
The home was reportedly occupied by a Homes NSW tenant who had hoarded an enormous amount of material, much of which was hazardous and was spilling out of the property.
“I’ve been saying this could happen, and it did today,” Stafford wrote on the Facebook post.
Speaking to Yahoo News, he said he first became aware of the property more than two years ago after rubbish began spilling into neighbouring areas.
Stafford said he contacted Homes NSW several times about the condition of the home and recently reached out directly to NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson, urging action.
Stafford also said he contacted Fire and Rescue NSW before the blaze and was told the property had been identified as a fire risk.
“They came out and deemed it as a fire risk.
“I’m at home last night eating my dinner, and my phone lights up that that house has caught on fire.
“This is deemed a fire hazard. This is a health hazard. Why did they not intervene and move her out immediately?”
Homes NSW told Yahoo News it was aware of the fire.
“Homes NSW believes all residents have the right to privacy and security. We have been working closely with the resident and specialist support services to address ongoing property care concerns and will continue to provide support,” the statement read.
Homes NSW added that they will continue to work with emergency services once their investigations are complete and support the affected resident.
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Nathan Stafford has repeatedly raised concerns about dangerous conditions at a housing block in Glebe before the blaze erupted. Source: Facebook/Nathans Lawns and Gardens
Housing minister responds following Glebe fire
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson told Yahoo News that people in public housing “deserve to live in dignity”, particularly when experiencing complex mental health issues.
But, she said, when their actions threaten their own health and safety and that of the community, the state government has a duty to step in.
“Homes NSW has been actively working with this tenant in Glebe since May 2024,” Jackson said.
“We recognise the severity of the situation, which is why the matter is subject to current orders from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). However, more recent outreach attempts have been rejected, which makes our job very difficult.”
Homes NSW criticised for a lack of intervention
Stafford said the situation highlights the need for stronger intervention when residents are living in unsafe conditions.
“If you got a piece of paper in front of you from the fire brigade saying, ‘This is a fire hazard, move her’. Move her. It is not difficult,” he said.
“If it’s a mental health illness, NDIS services need to be involved, because we’ve got all these services to help people.
“Housing clearly are not capable of doing their job properly and they’re getting paid for this. So where’s the money going?”
“The housing in Glebe, Bidwill, Campbelltown, Merrylands, Penrith — you name it — they all need to be put under the microscope.”
Rose Jackson said people in public housing deserve to live in dignity, particularly when experiencing complex mental health issues. Source: Google Maps/NSW govt
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Jackson wanted to assure people Homes NSW has the funding and the resourcing required to manage situations like this.
“But the reality is, hoarding is one of the most challenging issues to navigate as the state’s largest landlord,” she said.
“There is a strong link between mental health issues and housing insecurity. Our approach is always to work with tenants – sometimes for months or even years – to resolve situations like this because the alternative could mean sending a vulnerable person into homelessness.”
Jackson said she respects Nathan’s passion for these issues.
“I appreciate it when he gets in touch with me,” she said.
Stafford said authorities should act before situations reach crisis point.
“I hate seeing this because I’m out in these communities every week trying to help these people,” he said.
“I’m tired of trying my best to help here and nothing is changing. How many close calls do we want before we start doing something?”
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